The Reserve Bank of India has made it easier to open new bank accounts by doing away with the need to provide separate proofs for identity and address. It has also added Aadhar letters and cards as well as the NREGA job card to the list of eligible documents of proof for opening new accounts which are required to meet the KYC or know your customer norms. 

"If the address on the document submitted for identityproof by the prospective customer is same as that declared by him/her in the account opening form, the document may be accepted as a valid proof of both identity and address." The banking regulator said in a notification issued to banks on Monday 

The RBI has also clarified that since introduction is not necessary for opening of accounts under PML Act and Rules or Reserve Bank's extant KYC instructions, banks should not insist on introduction for opening bank accounts of customers. 

As per the revised list of eligible documents, a rent agreement indicating the address of the customer duly registered with state government or similar registration authority may also be accepted as a proof of address. 

If the address indicated on the document submitted for identity proof differs from the current address mentioned in the account opening form, a separate proof of address should be obtained, the RBI notification said. (Economic Times)